Lots are about to close, starting tomorrow 2/9 at 10:00 am est at Aspire Auctions fine art, antiques and jewelry auction. Buy her a micro-mosaic Victorian brooch for Valentines Day, or for him, a Rolex GMT-Master II two tone wrist watch. Go online now to watch live-online bidding and view the auction catalogue. 

A beautiful night for CLE--as the heavenly choir of St. Olaf performed for a capacity crowd of 700+ at Mary Queen of Peace (formerly Our Lady of Good Counsel) in Old Brooklyn.  For Old Brooklyn and Brooklyn Centre residents--getting there was as easy as a brisk winter's walk.

The Social Sciences Department of the Cleveland Public Library will hold their non-fiction book club discussion on Thursday, 

March  8, 2012 at 12:00 PM in the Social Sciences Department (Sports Research Center).  We will discuss the book entitled, "The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives." (Katie Couric)

My Husband, Dale and I are pleased to present our most popular workshop series once again to photographers in and around the Cleveland area.  Lighting 101 is designed to help you understand and control light in just about any situation.  Who are our workshops for?

Aspire Auctions, Inc., is offering a portrait by 20th century Chicago area artist Louis Frederick Grell. Grell was a muralist, a teacher at the Art Institute of Chicago, and made his home and studio at the historic Tree Studio Building. The beautiful portrait, which is part of the February sale, is of the artist’s wife and was painted in 1922.

Dale and Jenn Simmons host an intensive workshop in photographic lighting. The Feb. 21 session is a theory session to be followed by one of two Saturday workshops with professional models to practice the many techniques taught. session 1: Pro Lighting 101- is Saturday, Feb.25 from 10:00am to 6:00pm Session 2: Lighting on a Budget- is Saturday March 3 from 10:00am to 6:00 pm Cost for theory session only: $75 Theory plus one Saturday Workshop: $200 Theory plus BOTH Saturday workshops: $300 For more information or to register: Register [at] BlackWatchArt [dot] com

Location

Need a getaway from a crazy Cleveland weather day?

While away time at the Cleveland Artist Foundation for an exhibit of August Biehle featuring works from his period in Zoar, Ohio.  You may be fortunate enough, as I was today, to engage in great conversation with major area art collectors.

CLE has amazing artists, who work to understand color, light and energy--Jim March is such an artist.  Judith Brandon and Randall Tiedman, too. Fortunately, you have the opportunity to see these artists in one place at the West 78th St. Studios.

The Donegal Doggs are Jenny O'Boyle, Paul Kirk Jr., and Vincent Polowy. 
If you missed them at the Flat Iron, make an effort to get out and prime yourself for St. Paddy's Day.  They definitely warm the cockles! Great pub fare,too.

Martin Luther King celebration at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame --Monday, January 16, 2012.

It's not easy to go out on a snowy night in Cleveland, but if you make the effort there is magic to be had:

Senegalese master musician Abdou Mboup at AJ Rocco's Saturday, Jan 14, 2012.
Backed by a Cleveland Allstar cast, featuring: Guitarist Jacob Fader (Mifune,Kokolo), Keyboardist Ras T. Dubflex ( Dubflex International, The Meditations, The Asante Groove Project, etc), Bassist Rodney Reynolds ( Dubflex International) and master drummer Neil Chastain (Kokolo).

I am posting this here to gauge the possible shift in attitude that has occurred towards immigrants in NEO--please add a child page with any positive updates:

Fri, Jan 13, 2012 09:25 AM

 Brownbag Sports Series - Bring a Lunch

                                          Tuesday, January 10 * 12:00 PM

                    "Baseball Fiction Firsts: Sports Research Center Treasures"

It's halfway through the school year, and despite major setbacks, Valerie Salstrom is again grooming the young people in our neighborhood into sophisticated adults.

If you happen to get strong-armed at work to contribute at this time of year--consider Community Shares, since you can
dedicate your contribution to the Near West Theatre or City Music--but you can also contribute directly to these worthy organizations.

Aspire Auctions, Inc., offers a painting by important contemporary Turkish artist Erol Akyavas (1932-1999) in their upcoming online auction which opens December 9, 2011. The painting entitled “Figures” is an example of Akyavas’ work from the early 1960’s and was part of a private Cleveland collection. It is a rare figural example by the artist who has recently set an auction sale record of over $1.7 million dollars.

 Aspire Auctions is pleased to offer a beautiful marble sculpture by the Italian fin-de-siècle artist, Pietro Canonica (1869-1959), who had a very long and distinguished career as a sculptor.  His work is found in Rome, Russia, Turkey, India, and England and range from small delicate busts of women and children to large monumental equestrian statues of war heroes. The piece being offered by Aspire Auctions is entitled Montanara of Gressoney and dates to 1897. The bust depicts a young Walser woman in native dress.

 One of the most exciting pieces in the December is a sculpture of a Standing Woman from 1945 by the 20th century Costa Rican artist Franciso Zuniga (1912 – 1998).

For comfort during these dreary, dark days look to the warmth of Algebra Tea House-

Tomorrow promises to be another unseasonably warm and sunny day--take the chance to enjoy downtown and all the great offerings for all ages.

Please report back here with photos.  Some of us have to work !

For list of all events: